GAME OF THE WEEK: Red Hook High School Basketball over Marlboro [VIDEO]

By Charlie Cornacchio

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON - It was the Red Hook defense and the blood that was shed that most stuck out in my mind as Red Hook posted a 52-36 win over Marlboro.  

The Red Raiders faced Marlboro in the James A. Kyle Memorial Tournament, held at Bard College Saturday night and it was not the high powered close game that people expected or that rivalries usually produce. That's because Red Hook came in with a stingy defense that held the Iron Dukes to just 9 points in the first half!  

It was 25-9 at halftime and Red Hook was able to maintain that spread pretty much throughout the game, with the exception of a mini run of offense by Marlboro to start off the second half. The Iron Dukes got it to within 9, but then Red Hook kicked in its defense, and got a couple of key steals and drew a couple of key fouls that they were able to convert at the line.

Red Hook junior guard, Nick Michitsch led all scorers with 20 points, Dennis Hare had 14. Marlboro was led by Travis Banks who topped the Iron Dukes score book with 13 points. 

Two Red Hook players came off the bench when the game was well in hand and had to leave the court with blood trickling from head injuries. Both were fine, but it was heart wrenching that Patrick Troy and Beau Smith waited patiently, and finally got in the game, only to come out as quickly as they went in.